Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus comprising a seat and a foot support secured on a longitudinal support frame, the seat and foot support being configured to support the torso and feet of a user so that the hips of the user are positioned in an exercise area defined between the seat and foot support, wherein the apparatus further includes an arm having a first end and second end, the first end being mounted to the support frame and the second end including a deformable material, wherein the first end is mounted for pivotal motion of the arm within a limited range, the arm including a support bar restricting pivotal motion within the exercise area whereby the second end is suspended within the exercise area and enabled for pivotal motion in a transverse direction relative to the support frame, the arm further being operatively associated with a source of resistance to the pivotal motion of the arm in the transverse direction relative to the support frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to the field of exercise and more particularly, the invention relates to an exercise apparatus for facilitating rehabilitation and strengthening through the proper performance of exercises targeting specific muscles with adjustable resistance.

Muscles of the human posterior hip, or gluteal muscles, are critical for the task of locomotion. Healthy, developed gluteal muscles are a key factor in maintaining the strength and health of a person's lower back and hips, whereas unhealthy, under-developed gluteal muscles have been identified as a significant cause of a number of conditions, including patellar alignment problems, iliotibial (IT) band pathology, and mechanical lower back pain.

An exercise referred to as a “hip extension” or “glute bridge” is known to strengthen gluteal muscles and generally improve the strength of your posterior chain, which pull the leg backwards, which includes the gluteus maximus, the hamstrings, knees and adductor magnus. A hip extension exercise is typically performed when a person is in the supine position on the ground or on a mat where the person's the hips and knees are flexed while the lower back is pressed flat on the ground. The person then moves the pelvis toward the posterior to flatten the lower back. With the pelvis rotated posteriorly, the person then raises his or her buttocks and shifts weight to the feet and an area of the upper thorax located at the inferior aspect of the person's scapulae. When properly performing the exercise, the person moves only at the hips, without bending the spine. Various forms of resistance may be added to the movement to increase the load on the gluteal and other muscles and other muscles. Safely increasing the load on the gluteal muscles is an important step in building overall muscular strength.

However, adding resistance to this exercise often involves placing a barbell over the waist, and this can be difficult as well as generate unwanted stress on parts of the body, such that injury could be caused, or at the very least, it is not suitable for all users when it comes to developing the target muscles.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus to enable users to target these particular muscles for development without causing injury or undesirable stress to non-targeted muscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to an exercise apparatus or machine that solves at least some if not all of the issues cited above, among other issues that exist in the art.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to an exercise apparatus or machine which is adapted to support a user above a floor while the user performs hip extension or other exercises to target one or more of the user's gluteus maximus, hamstrings, knees and adductor magnus with adjustable resistance.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to an apparatus including a seat and a foot support secured on a longitudinal support frame, the seat and foot support being configured to support the torso and feet of a user so that the hips of the user are positioned in an exercise area defined between the seat and foot support, wherein the apparatus further includes an arm having a first end and second end, the first end being mounted to the support frame and the second end including a deformable material, wherein the first end is mounted for pivotal motion of the arm within a limited range, the arm including a support bar restricting pivotal motion within the exercise area whereby the second end is suspended within the exercise area and enabled for pivotal motion in a transverse direction relative to the support frame, the arm further being operatively associated with a source of resistance to the pivotal motion of the arm in the transverse direction relative to the support frame.

In illustrative embodiments, the source of resistance is adjustable resistance mechanisms that may be included on the bench to increase the load on a user performing exercises. These resistance mechanisms may include resistance weights, bands and/or pulleys connected with weight stacks that resist pivotal motion of the arm in the transverse direction which is comparable to upward movement of a user's hips during a hip extension exercise.

In some embodiments, the source of resistance comprises weights disposed on the arm and/or elastic bands connected with the arm and the support frame.

In some embodiments, the longitudinal support frame comprises two elongated, parallel frame members defining a longitudinal space therebetween.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes opposing bases, each opposing base being attached to the two elongated, parallel frame members. Each opposing base may include two foot members, the two foot members extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by the two, elongated parallel frame members.

In some embodiments, the seat is adjustably connected to the two elongated, parallel frame members.

In some embodiments, the foot support is adjustably connected to the two elongated, parallel frame members.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to an exercise apparatus comprising a seat and a foot support secured on a longitudinal support frame, the longitudinal support frame comprising dual elongated frame members, the dual elongated frame members being in a spaced apart parallel relationship with respect to one another, the seat and foot support being configured to support the torso and feet of a user so that the hips of the user are positioned in an exercise area defined above the support frame and between the seat and foot support, wherein the apparatus further includes an arm having a first end and second end, the first end being mounted to the support frame and the second end including a deformable material, wherein the first end is mounted for pivotal motion of the arm within a limited range, the arm including a support bar restricting pivotal motion within the exercise area whereby the second end is suspended within the exercise area and enabled for pivotal motion in a transverse direction relative to the support frame, the arm further being operatively associated with a source of resistance to the pivotal motion of the arm in the transverse direction relative to the support frame.

Other embodiments, features and advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated and apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

While the disclosure concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming specific embodiments, various features and advantages of embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a prior art exercise intended to target the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, knees and adductor magnus performed with the assistance of a barbell for resistance and a conventional weight bench;

FIGS. 3-4 provides perspective views of an apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 3-4 ;

FIG. 6 is a perspective views of an apparatus constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective views of an apparatus constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

The detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description without departing from the scope of the invention. It should be further understood that components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain components are included, displayed and made part of this disclosure, but not specifically discussed herein with reference to the drawings, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention and depicted embodiments of the invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when performing the exercise known as a hip extension with a weight bar for resistance, a user 1 is seated on the floor, with the user's back 2 resting against a bench 3, the user's legs 4 bent and bar 5 with disks 6 positioned over the user 1 in the area of the user's abdomen. The exercise consists of lifting at the waist against the resistance provided by the weight of the bar, using back 2 as a pivoting point for the body, so that in the uppermost position, the abdomen is in line with the knees with the legs forming a right angle.

FIG. 3-5 illustrate an exercise bench generally indicated by the reference number 10 which is constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention to advantageously enable a user to safely engage in exercises with resistance that target certain muscles for maximizing the effectiveness of the exercises performed. In this embodiment, the exercises enabled by bench 10 are comparable to a hip extension in that at least the same muscles are targeted and further developed through use of bench 10.

Bench 10 comprises a user support frame assembly generally indicated at 12. Bench 10 includes an adjustable seat assembly generally indicated at 14, an adjustable foot rest assembly generally indicated at 16 and a user engagement assembly generally indicated at 18.

User support frame assembly 12 includes dual elongated central support bars 20 a and 20 b defining a longitudinal axis for bench 10. Bars 20 a and 20 b are vertically supported above a surface by support bases 22 a and 22 b at opposing longitudinal ends 24 and 26 of central support bars 20 a and 20 b, respectively. Bases 22 a and 22 b each further include legs 23 which extend outwardly transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by central support bars 20 a and 20 b which, among other things, provide additional engagement with the floor, stability for bench 10 and support against tipping over.

Adjustable seat assembly 14 includes a seat 28 and backrest 30 vertically supported by a backrest support beam 32. Seat 28 and backrest 30 are both enabled to be moved axially along the longitudinal axis formed by support bars 20 a and 20 b and form a secure, non-permanent engagement with dual support bars 20 a and 20 b. Seat 28 includes sleeves 34 which are sized and dimensioned to fit over dual bars 20 a and 20 b. A locking pin 36 extends through pinholes (not shown) in one or both sleeves 34 and corresponding receiving pinholes (not shown) defined in one or both support bars 20 a and 20 b.

Backrest 30 may be adjustable and backrest support beam 32 is connected with a base plate 38 which includes sleeves 40 and locking pin 42 which are similarly engaged with pinholes (not shown) defined in dual support bars 20 a and 20 b.

Foot rest assembly 16 includes sleeves 44, extending neck 46 and an elevated arcuate support member 48 to provide ergonomic support for a user to place his or her feet thereon while performing exercises using bench 10. Sleeves 44 fit over dual bars 20 a and 20 b and a locking pin 50 is used to securely engage foot rest assembly 16 with corresponding pinholes (not shown) defined in sleeves 44 and dual support bars 20 a and 20 b. It is envisioned that arcuate support member 48 can encourage stabilizer muscles of the user to be engaged during exercise.

Locking pins 36, 42 and/or 50 may be spring-loaded, include threading with cooperating threading defined in the corresponding pinholes or use other means for forming a non-permanent engagement. It should be further understood that, as shown, the locking pins disclosed herein and any of the locking pins used with the invention may also include a handle or knob to facilitate use thereof.

Bench 10 supports a user in an exercise position such that the user may interact with a first end 52 of a pivotally mounted swing arm 54 of user engagement assembly 18. Arm 54 is mounted for pivotal motion at a fulcrum defined at a second end 56 by a pivot bracket 58 comprising a pivot pin 60 extending between opposite sides of pivot bracket 58 and through a pivot pinhole (not shown) defined in swing arm 54. Swing arm 54 is configured for pivotal motion about the longitudinal axis defined by central support bars 20 a and 20 b, thus pivoting both with gravity and against gravity.

A support bar 62 extends from the underside of arm 54 at an intermediate point between first end 52 and second end 56 of arm 54 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of central support bars 20 a and 20 b. Support bar 62 is configured to be received by a support bar guide sleeve 64 mounted for pivotal movement via pivot bracket 63 having a base 65 adjustably mounted on central support bars 20 a and 20 b by sleeves 66 and a locking pin 68 for longitudinal movement along central support bars 20 a and 20 b. Support bar 62 is positioned within guide sleeve 64 to maintain swing arm 54 in a condition preventing pivotal motion towards seat assembly 14 due to gravity, essentially suspending the swing arm so that the first end 52 is within an “exercise area” or zone adjacent to seat 28 in the position that a user's hips would be located for performing a hip extension shown by arrow AE. In the embodiment of bench 110 shown in FIG. 6 , a guide sleeve 164 further includes a base 165 with a transverse beam 167 to limit the range of pivotal motion.

In the suspended condition described above, bends 70 and 72 defined in swing arm 54 facilitate maintaining swing arm 54 in a generally parallel axial position relative to the longitudinal axis defined by central support bars 20 a and 20 b.

In this embodiment there are two bends 70 and 72, with each having an angle greater than zero and less than ninety degrees, whereas in other embodiments, there may be less or more bends formed in swing arm 54.

First end 52 of swing arm 54 includes an end beam 74 which is adjustable within a sleeve 79 to move axially relative thereto into the exercise area shown by arrow AE towards seat 28. End beam 74 includes a latitudinal crossbar 76 within a sleeve 78 of a deformable material which would contact a user in the exercise area or zone shown by arrow EA at about the midsection or waist of a user properly seated on bench 10. Sleeve 78 may be a foam cushion material wrapped by a suitable cover material such as vinyl.

User engagement assembly 18 is further operatively associated with the application of an adjustable load configured to resist pivotal motion of arm 54 against gravitational force, that is, vertically away from longitudinal axis defined by central support bars 20 a and 20 b.

In this embodiment, swinging arm 54 further includes upper extending arm 80 which is linked with a latitudinal crossbar 82 which functions similar to a traditional barbell in that weight plates may be placed over crossbar ends 84 a and 84 b and secured with a locking collar (not shown).

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 , a swinging arm 254 of a bench 210 includes an upper extending arm 280 with a crossbar 282 and a lower crossbar 286 secured to dual central support bars 220 a and 220 b. In this embodiment, the resistance is provided in the form of an elastically deformable band 288. Still, it should be understood that resistance may be provided in other forms, such as a pulley or similar system connected with a weight stack.

It can be appreciated by those familiar with the art, that the apparatus shown herein can be used to target and develop specific muscle groups effectively. A user sitting in the seat assembly and performing a hip extension type of movement will contact the cushion material and cause the swing arm to pivot against any resistance applied thereto and then return to an unextended position with the support bar engaging with the guide sleeve to ensure proper performance of the exercise and prevent injury.

Various materials may be used in the construction of apparatus in accordance with the invention, including but not limited to, metals and plastics, both solid and hollow. While rectangular and arcuate tubing is shown in the figures for various elements, other shapes may be used in the construction of elements, such as square.

While exemplary apparatus, systems and methods of the invention have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein, and in the claims, and any equivalents thereto. 

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a seat and a foot support secured on a longitudinal support frame, the seat and foot support being configured to support the torso and feet of a user so that the hips of the user are positioned in an exercise area defined between the seat and foot support, wherein the apparatus further includes an arm having a first end and second end, the first end being mounted to the support frame and the second end including a deformable material, wherein the first end is mounted for pivotal motion of the arm within a limited range, the arm including a support bar restricting pivotal motion within the exercise area whereby the second end is suspended within the exercise area and enabled for pivotal motion in a transverse direction relative to the support frame, the arm further being operatively associated with a source of resistance to the pivotal motion of the arm in the transverse direction relative to the support frame.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of resistance comprises weights disposed on the arm.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of resistance comprises elastic bands connected with the arm and the support frame.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal support frame comprises two elongated, parallel frame members defining a longitudinal space therebetween.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising opposing bases, each opposing base being attached to the two elongated, parallel frame members.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein each opposing base includes at least two foot members, the at least two foot members extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by the two elongated, parallel frame members.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the seat is adjustably connected to the two elongated, parallel frame members.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the foot support is adjustably connected to the two elongated, parallel frame members.
 9. An exercise apparatus comprising a seat and a foot support secured on a longitudinal support frame, the longitudinal support frame comprising dual elongated frame members, the dual elongated frame members being in a spaced apart parallel relationship with respect to one another, the seat and foot support being configured to support the torso and feet of a user so that the hips of the user are positioned in an exercise area defined above the support frame and between the seat and foot support, wherein the apparatus further includes an arm having a first end and second end, the first end being mounted to the support frame and the second end including a deformable material, wherein the first end is mounted for pivotal motion of the arm within a limited range, the arm including a support bar restricting pivotal motion within the exercise area whereby the second end is suspended within the exercise area and enabled for pivotal motion in a transverse direction relative to the support frame, the arm further being operatively associated with a source of resistance to the pivotal motion of the arm in the transverse direction relative to the support frame.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the source of resistance comprises weights disposed on the arm.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the source of resistance comprises elastic bands connected with the arm and the support frame.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, further comprising opposing bases, each opposing base being attached to the dual elongated frame members.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein each opposing base includes at least two foot members, the at least two foot members extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by the dual elongated frame members.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat is adjustably connected to the two elongated, parallel frame members for axial movement along the dual elongated frame members.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the foot support is adjustably connected for axial movement along the dual elongated frame members. 